Downtown Sarasota City Guide Annual 2010 : Page 4
1 DOWNTOWN SARASOTA The place to be, then and now. THEN By Jeff LaHurd Before the advent of shopping centers, one-stop department stores and mega-malls, there was downtown Sarasota. Itwas a special place. If you stuck a pin ina map at the center of Five Points, within a mile of that pin could be found everything necessary to satisfy your religious, social, recreational, political,medical and shopping needs. Beyond that, you found mostly orange groves, housing developments and the beaches. During the season—betweenNovember and just after Easter— downtown theaters, restaurants, lounges, hotels, churches, stores and the two train depots onMain Street bustled with activity. Lookers and shoppers crowded the sidewalks with a spirit of gaiety. In the off-season, the atmosphere was relaxed and casual. Some hotels and shops closed; merchants tightened their belts; locals could once again fi nd a vacant table at their favorite restaurant, or a stool at a bar, or a seat at the theater. Traffic was less congested, parking spaces could be found, and the slow pace of a small town returned. Store owners often used the slow time to pack up their rods and reels and tackle and head to the Ringling Causeway to fi sh the afternoon away—a scene out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Whatever the time of year, downtown Sarasotawas friendly. Most of the merchants were localswith close community ties. You knew themby name, and they appreciated your patronage. Adding another page to history, Downtown Sarasota continues to remain a unique and charmingwaterfront community. Jeff LaHurd is a Sarasota author and historian. NOW ByWendy Getchell On April 9, 2009, areas of Downtown Sarasota were added to the National Register of Historic Places. As a result, new projects are under way to enhance the historic area through the restoration of historic buildings and the improvement of parks and landscaping. Here you will fi nd every type of restaurant to satisfy your cravings, froma morning espresso and myriad lunch and dinner cuisines to a late-night bite after the theater. Shopwith local merchants and national retailers who offer fashions, home furnishings, jewelry, children’s toys, collectables, art and rare antiques. Relax away the afternoon in the many parks, fromwaterfront to botanical gardens, and enjoy the excitement of evening entertainment,withmusic, live theater productions, ballet, and world-class opera in our newly restored historic opera theater. All this and more is found within easywalking of the center of Downtown at Five Points Park. Photos courtesy Sarasota County History Center 2 DOWNTOWNSRQ.COM
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